There are several levels of air quality: good, moderate, unhealthy for those sensitive, unhealthy, very unhealthy and hazardous. Friday’s air quality advisory is for unhealthy for those sensitive.
While not at the highest of alerts, those who may have respiratory illnesses should limit outdoor activity.
As air quality once again becomes a concern across Oklahoma, what makes the air unhealthy to breathe on a day like Friday? The answer is ozone.
Ozone is not healthy
Ozone (O3) is harmful to people when breathed in but helpful in the upper levels of the atmosphere to block harmful solar radiation. The problem is when ozone develops at ground level.
How does surface ozone develop?
Exhaust from engines, smoke from fires and pollutants from industrial businesses are trapped near ground level. The combination of abundant sunshine, heat and these pollutants trigger a chemical process that allows ozone to form near ground level.
Steps to reduce ozone:
Cut back on emissions when ozone levels are high. You can cut back on emissions by, reducing vehicle travel, not mowing, not burning or even filling your car with fuel in the afternoon.